Sporting KC agrees to contract with defender Chance Myers

Chance Myers’ return to the club preserves a Sporting KC back line of Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin and Myers — a group that provided the backbone of a defense that allowed a league-low 30 goals last season.

Chance Myers has agreed to a contract to stay with Sporting Kansas City, preserving the club’s formidable defensive back line.

Sporting KC said Wednesday that no contract has been officially signed yet, but agent Mike Gartlan, who represents Myers, tweeted Wednesday that the veteran defender will soon join Sporting KC in Tucson, Ariz., where the club began its preseason training Friday.

“(Myers) will be joining (with) Sporting KC soon in preseason,” Gartlan posted on Twitter. “Good work by all parties to get it done and keep him here.”

A source confirmed to The Star that the two sides have reached an agreement in principle.

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said Tuesday that the two sides were “getting closer” in their contract negotiations.

Myers’ return to the club preserves a Sporting KC back line of Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin and Myers — a group that provided the backbone of a defense that allowed a league-low 30 goals last season. It also draws to a close the most significant offseason uncertainty for the defending MLS Cup champions.

With Myers back, Sporting KC is slated to return 10 of the 11 players who started in the MLS Cup against Real Salt Lake on Dec. 7. Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen announced his retirement two days later.

Myers has played all six years of his MLS career with the Sporting KC franchise, starting 78 games over the past three seasons. He trained with the United States men’s national team earlier this month.